From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Using copper versus brass tubing for radiators in the U.S.A. due to corrosion concerns.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 38\2\ Scan108 | |
| Date | 27th July 1920 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to CJ. " " HL. " " EFC. " " Cy. x 34 56 R12/G27.7.20. X.3678. RE RADIATORS FOR U.S.A. X.3456. They are urging us to use some copper tubing because of the effect of alkaline in the water causing corrosion of the brass. To add alkaline to the water would be as easy matter experimentally, but to find out whether it had any effect on brass compared with soldered copper would require the attention perhaps of Mr. Hall. Would you ask Mr. Hall to help you in the matter. My. own impression is that as we are already sending out radiators with brass tubes, and there is so much brass work about a radiator independent of the tubes, and there is also the solder and iron in connection with the water system, that the change from brass to copper for the tubes only would not materially increase the life of the water system. If, however, water becomes acid or alkaline, a certain amount of granulated zinc of comparatively pure zinc could be introduced into the system we should protect such a material as brass from being corroded. I should like you to go into this matter with Mr. Hall, and Mr. Clark, and let me have your joint suggestions. The impression I had in reference to the tubing submitted from the states was that it eas very thin and very likely and great pressure, that it had hexagon ends, and would not in to collapse with / any way make a radiator which was equal mechanically to that which we are at present sending out. I have therefore writtent to London that we cannot agree thatthere willnbe an material benefit in using copper pipes for radiators and that we have already sent out a very Contd. | ||